Island



(No Model.)

' .G. G. PEGK.

COUNTER GUARD.

' No. 437,130; Patented Sept. 23. 1890.

//v VEN 70/? 25%. 5/24 A 7'7'0HNE YS WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE C. PECK, OF PAVVTUOKET, RI-IODE ISLAND.

COU NTER-G UARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,130, dated September as, 1890.

p Application filed March 24, 1890. Serial No. 345,157. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, GEORGE (J. PECK, of Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and Improved Counter-Guard. of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide counters or shelves on which goods are exposed for display with a secure protection, which will be of neat appearance and moderate cost.

To this end my invent-ion consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of-reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device mounted on a curved counter. Fig. 2 represents the guard applied to a straight counter. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail View of one of the parts in section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in section, and Fig. 5 represents the device applied to a counter at a corner.

In stores where goods of different kinds are placed on counters to permit a close inspection by purchasers there is frequent loss sustained from the exposure of articles which can be readily concealed on the person of shop-lifters. Glazed cases are costly and liable to be broken. The device which is herein presented affords security from loss and can be readily adapted for use on any exposed shelf or counter, freely exhibiting goods and at the same time preventing an improper handling of the same.

The protecting-guard consists of a series of brackets A, that are provided with a flanged base that is perforated, as at a, (see Figs. 2 and 5,) for the secure attachment of the brackets at spaced intervals upon a shelf or counter. The brackets A may be curved, as shown in Fig. 5, or rectangular, having a front vertical standard A and a horizontal integral top bar A these parts being supported on an integral foot-piece A and stiffened by a Web A. The web-piece A may be dispensed with if the other parts are rendered sufficiently stable.

WVhile the pattern of the brackets A may be varied, as stated, the general form of construction should be maintained, which will permit them to be secured with the Vertical standards aligning and near to the front edge of the counter B, on which they are secured, suitableintervalsbeingallowedbetweenthem.

All the brackets are perforated, as at b in Figs 1 and 2, small transverse holes being produced therein at spaced distances for the reception of a series of guard-wires c, which are secured in the holes Z) of a bracket located at one end of the counter and thence extended through corresponding holes in the entire set of brackets until the one at the other end of the counter is reached, where said wires are connected to screw-plugs cl, as shown in Fig. 3. The plugs d are engaged by the nuts (1, preferably provided with wings to facilitate their adjustment on the plugs, and as these are inserted in holes in the terminal bracket which align with the perforations Z) the wires 0 can be stretched taut by means of these appliances and afiord a barrier that will prevent improper access to the goods placed 011 the counter behind and below the wire guard.

Spacing rods or pipes C are introduced between the brackets A, a suitable number being inserted in socket-holes formed in the sides of the brackets, so as to resist the draftstrain of the wires 0 and render the structure substantial.

When pipe-sections are used as stays between the brackets A, short nipples e are formed on the sides of the brackets, where the pipes are to be supported in contact therewith, and the ends of the pipes C are placed over said nipples. The connection thus afforded will be rendered secure when the wires 0 are strained, as has been explained, and a neat finish provided.

Small keys should be inserted in the perforations b after the wires 0 are stretched. These will prevent lateral displacement of any bracket and render the device stable as an entirety.

The wires 0 may be made of any suitable metal, and the brackets also. The latternamed, being preferably cast into form, may be plated, lacquered, bronzed, or painted, and

the entire device be rendered ornamental in design and finish at a moderate cost.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. A counter-guard comprised of a series of perforated brackets bent to extend over a counter and secured thereon, and a series of wires strung" through the perforations and secured therein, substantially as set forth.

The combination, with a counter and a series of brackets attached thereto and adapted to project above and over the counter, all similarly perforated at spaced intervals, of a series of guard-wires which are inserted in 

